Rao is a title and a surname native to India. It is used mostly in states of

Andhra Pradesh Andhra Pradesh (ISO 15919, ISO: , , AP) is a States and union territories of India, state on the East Coast of India, east coast of southern India. It is the List of states and union territories of India by area, seventh-largest state and th ...

Gujarat Gujarat () is a States of India, state along the Western India, western coast of India. Its coastline of about is the longest in the country, most of which lies on the Kathiawar peninsula. Gujarat is the List of states and union territories ...

Haryana Haryana () is a States and union territories of India, state located in the northern part of India. It was carved out after the linguistic reorganisation of Punjab, India, Punjab on 1 November 1966. It is ranked 21st in terms of area, with les ...

Karnataka Karnataka ( ) is a States and union territories of India, state in the southwestern region of India. It was Unification of Karnataka, formed as Mysore State on 1 November 1956, with the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, States Re ...

Maharashtra Maharashtra () is a state in the western peninsular region of India occupying a substantial portion of the Deccan Plateau. It is bordered by the Arabian Sea to the west, the Indian states of Karnataka and Goa to the south, Telangana to th ...

Rajasthan Rajasthan (; Literal translation, lit. 'Land of Kings') is a States and union territories of India, state in northwestern India. It covers or 10.4 per cent of India's total geographical area. It is the List of states and union territories of ...

, and

Telangana Telangana is a States and union territories of India, state in India situated in the Southern India, south-central part of the Indian subcontinent on the high Deccan Plateau. It is the List of states and union territories of India by area, ele ...

As a surname

Notable people with this surname or title include the following:

Pre-independence

Rao Tula Ram Rao Tularam Singh (''circa'' 9 December 1825 – 23 September 1863) was a King or chieftain of Rewari. He was one of the leaders of the Indian rebellion of 1857 in Haryana, where he is considered a state hero. Personal life He was born on 9 ...

(c. 1825 – 1863) -

Rewari Rewari is a city and a municipal council in Rewari district in the Indian state of Haryana. It is the district headquarters of Rewari district. It is located in south-west Haryana around 82 km from DelhiKing King is a royal title given to a male monarch. A king is an Absolute monarchy, absolute monarch if he holds unrestricted Government, governmental power or exercises full sovereignty over a nation. Conversely, he is a Constitutional monarchy, ...

who fought Great Battle of 1857. * T. Madhava Rao (1829–1891) - Diwan of Travancore from 1857 to 1872. *

R. Raghunatha Rao ''Diwan Bahadur'' Rai Raghunatha Rao (7 February 1831 – 3 May 1912) was an Indian civil servant, administrator, politician and Indian independence activist who served as the Diwan of Indore from 1875 to 1880, and again from 1886 to 1888 ...

(c. February 1831 – May 3, 1912) - Diwan of Indore from 1875 to 1888 * R. Venkata Rao - Diwan of Travancore from 1821 to 1829. * T. Subba Rao - Diwan of Travancore from 1830 to 1837. * V. P. Madhava Rao - 17th Diwan of the Mysore kingdom * T. Ananda Rao - 18th Diwan of the Mysore kingdom * N. Madhava Rao - 23rd Diwan of the Mysore Kingdom * K. Krishnaswamy Rao - Diwan of Travancore from 1898 to 1904 * T. Rama Rao (administrator) - Diwan of Travancore from 1887 to 1892 * T. Ramachandra Rao (1825-1879) - Indian civil servant and first native Indian to serve as Deputy Commissioner of Police of Madras. * R. Ramachandra Rao (1871 – 1936) - Indian civil servant and

mathematician A mathematician is someone who uses an extensive knowledge of mathematics in their work, typically to solve mathematical problems. Mathematicians are concerned with numbers, data, quantity, mathematical structure, structure, space, Mathematica ...

. * R. Balaji Rao (1842–1896) - an Indian politician, independence activist. *

Gangadharrao Deshpande Gangadharrao Balkrishna Deshpande (31 March 1871 – 30 July 1960) also known as Lion of Karnataka, Khadi Bhageeratha of Karnataka, was an Indian people, Indian activist who was the leader of the Indian independence movement against British Ra ...

(1871-1960) (also known as ''Lion of Karnataka'') - Indian

activist Activism consists of efforts to promote, impede, direct or intervene in social, political, economic or environmental reform with the desire to make changes in society toward a perceived common good. Forms of activism range from mandate build ...

and leader of

Indian independence movement The Indian independence movement was a series of historic events in South Asia with the ultimate aim of ending British Raj, British colonial rule. It lasted until 1947, when the Indian Independence Act 1947 was passed. The first nationalistic ...

against

British rule The British Raj ( ; from Hindustani , 'reign', 'rule' or 'government') was the colonial rule of the British Crown on the Indian subcontinent, * * lasting from 1858 to 1947. * * It is also called Crown rule in India, * * * * or dire ...

from

Belgaum Belgaum (Kannada ISO 15919, ISO: ''Bēḷagāma'', ), officially known as Belagavi (also Belgaon), is a city in the Indian state of Karnataka located near its northern western border in the Western Ghats. It is the administrative headquarters ...

. *

C. Hayavadana Rao Rao Bahadur Conjeevaram Hayavadana Rao (10 July 1865 – 27 January 1946) was an Indian historian, museologist, anthropologist, economist and polyglot. He was a member of the Royal Anthropological Institute, Indian Historical Records Commission ...

(1865 – 1946) - an Indian historian, museologist, anthropologist, economist and polyglot. * T. Gopala Rao (1832 – 1886) -

educationist Education is the transmission of knowledge and skills and the development of character traits. Formal education occurs within a structured institutional framework, such as public schools, following a curriculum. Non-formal education also fol ...

, served as the Principal of Government Arts College, Kumbakonam after William Archer Porter and first inspector of schools under British government.

Post-independence

* Raja Rao writer of English-language novels and short stories, whose works are deeply rooted in metaphysics * Ayyagari Sambasiva Rao (1914–2003), an Indian scientist, founder of the Electronics Corporation of India Limited * Adinarayana Rao, Telugu film director and founder of Anjali pictures. *

Akkineni Nageswara Rao Akkineni Nageswara Rao (20 September 1924 – 22 January 2014), known as ANR, was an Indian actor and film producer in Telugu cinema. Over his seven decade career, he became a prominent figures in the industry, and is among most influential ac ...

, Telugu film actor and founder of Annapurna studios. He received Padma Bhushan for his contribution to film industry. *

Calyampudi Radhakrishna Rao Prof. Calyampudi Radhakrishna Rao (10 September 1920 – 22 August 2023) was an Indian-American mathematician and statistician. He was professor emeritus at Pennsylvania State University and research professor at the University at Buffalo. Rao ...

(1920–2023), Indian-born American mathematician and statistician * Chennamaneni Hanumantha Rao, Indian economist and writer * C. S. Rao (writer), Indian writer, actor, director and producer * C. S. Rao (1924–2004), an Indian actor, writer and director * Dabeeru C. Rao, Indian-American statistical geneticist *

Dasari Narayana Rao Dasari Narayana Rao (4 May 1942 – 30 May 2017) was an Indian film director, screenwriter, actor, producer, lyricist, and politician, primarily known for his work in Telugu cinema. Over his four decade career, he directed more than 150 feature ...

, Telugu film director and actor. *

Dileep Rao Dileep A. Rao (born July 29, 1973) is an American actor who has appeared in feature films and television series. He starred in Sam Raimi's horror film '' Drag Me to Hell'' (2009), James Cameron's science fiction film series ''Avatar'' (2009–pre ...

(1973–), American actor *

Ganta Srinivasa Rao Ganta Srinivasa Rao is an Indian politician from Telugu Desam Party and member of Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly currently representing Bheemili constituency from 4 June 2024. He served as the minister of Human Resources Development of An ...

, Indian politician, ex-Lok Sabha member *

Gundu Hanumantha Rao Gundu Hanumantha Rao (10 October 1956–19 February 2018) was an Indian actor and comedian who worked predominantly in Telugu films, theatre, and television. Career Gundu Hanumantha Rao was in confectionery business before stepping into the e ...

, Indian actor * Gnaneswara Rao, Indian cricketer * Joginder Singh Rao, Indian cricketer * Karri Narayana Rao, Indian lawyer, ex-member of Lok Sabha and Indian politician * Kemburi Ramamohan Rao, Indian Politician, ex-member of Lok Sabha *

Kimidi Kalavenkata Rao Kimidi Kalavenkata Rao is an Indian politician and Telugu Desam Party leader. He was appointed President of the Andhra Pradesh Division of the Telugu Desam Party after the partition of Andhra Pradesh. Political Life * Rao joined the Telugu Desa ...

, Indian Politician, ex-minister, ex-member of Rajya Sabha * K. Keshava Rao,member of Rajya Sabha *

K. R. Rao Kamisetty Ramamohan Rao (19312021) was an Indian-American electrical engineer. He was a professor of Electrical Engineering at the University of Texas at Arlington (UT Arlington). Academically known as K. R. Rao, he is credited with the co-inven ...

, professor of electrical engineering at the University of Texas and co-inventor of the discrete cosine transform *

K. S. Rama Rao K. S. Rama Rao is an Indian film producer known for his work in Telugu cinema. He founded the production company Creative Commercials in 1973, initially as a radio advertising business, before transitioning to film production in 1983. Rama Rao ...

, Telugu cinema producer * Kodela Siva Prasad Rao, speaker of Andhra Pradesh Assembly *

Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar Rao Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar Rao (born 17 February 1954), frequently known by his initials KCR, is an Indian politician currently representing the Gajwel Assembly constituency and serving as the leader of the opposition in the Telangana Legislati ...

, Chief minister of

Michael Rao Michael Rao is an American academic administrator who is the current president of Virginia Commonwealth University, a public university in downtown Richmond, Virginia. During his time as president, Rao has overseen hiring and expansion of the uni ...

(1967–), president of

Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is a Public university, public research university in Richmond, Virginia, United States. VCU was founded in 1838 as the medical department of Hampden–Sydney College, becoming the Medical College of Virgin ...

since 2009 *

Muttamsetti Srinivasa Rao Muttamsetti Srinivasa Rao, popularly known as Avanthi Srinivas, is an Indian educationalist turned politician. He is the Ex. Member of the Legislative Assembly from Bheemili, Andhra Pradesh. He operates Avanthi Education Institutes in Andhra ...

, Indian Politician, Ex-member of Lok Sabha and minister in

Cabinet *

N. T. Rama Rao Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (28 May 1923 – 18 January 1996), often referred to by his initials NTR, was an Indian actor, film director, film producer, screenwriter, film editor, philanthropist, and politician who served as the Chief Minister o ...

(1923 – 1996), film personality and former chief minister of united Andhra Pradesh * Narla Tata Rao, Engineer and recipient of Padma Shri award * Neomi Rao, American attorney and government official *

Nirmala Rao Nirmala Rao (born 1959, Hyderabad, India) is a British academic and the current vice chancellor of Krea University. She also served as vice chancellor of the Asian University for Women, Chittagong, Bangladesh from 1 February 2017 to January 20 ...

, British academic, present VC of Asian University for Women. * Pappala Chalapathi Rao, Indian Politician *

P. V. Narasimha Rao Pamulaparthi Venkata Narasimha Rao (28 June 1921 – 23 December 2004) was an Indian independence activist, lawyer, and statesman from the Indian National Congress who served as the prime minister of India from 1991 to 1996. He was the first p ...

- 9th Prime Minister Of India *

Rajkummar Rao Rajkummar Rao (born Raj Kumar Yadav; 31 August 1984) is an Indian actor. A versatile actor in Hindi cinema since the early 2010s, he is known for his performances in over thirty films across a wide spectrum of genres in both independent an ...

, Indian film actor. *

Amrita Rao Amrita Rao (born 7 June 1981) is an Indian actress who primarily works in Hindi cinema, Hindi films. Known for her quintessential girl-next-door portrayals, Rao is the recipient of several accolades including an IIFA Awards, IIFA Award and two ...

, Indian film actress *

Panje Mangesh Rao Panje Mangesh Rao (1874–1937) was an Indian writer and poet who wrote short stories, essays, poems and children's rhymes in Kannada. He is known as 'kavishishya'. He wrote Huthariya haadu, Naagara haave, Koti chennaya, Gudugudu Gummata Devaru, ...

(1874 – 1937) Indian writer and poet *

Aditi Rao Hydari Aditi Rao Hydari (born 28 October 1986) is an Indian actress who appears in Hindi cinema, Hindi, Tamil cinema, Tamil, and Telugu cinema, Telugu films. Born into the Tyabji family, Tyabji–Hydari family, she made her acting debut with the Mal ...

, Indian film actress *

Preetika Rao Preetika Rao is an Indian actress, model and film-columnist who primarily works in Hindi television and advertisement films. She made her acting debut with the Tamil Cinema, Tamil film ''Chikku Bukku'' in (2010). Rao is best known for portrayin ...

, Indian television actress *

Ramoji Rao Cherukuri Ramoji Rao (16 November 1936 – 8 June 2024) was an Indian businessman, media proprietor and film producer. He was head of the Ramoji Group which owns the world's largest film production facility Ramoji Film City, '' Eenadu'' news ...

, Telugu businessman, owner of Ramoji group * Samarla Venkata Ranga Rao (1918 – 1974), Telugu film actor and recipient of

Rashtrapati Award Rashtrapati Awards used to be given by the President of India, in some cases the Prime Minister of India, for achievements in the field of sports, art, military, literature, cinema, culture, science and technology, or Scouting. The award-giving ...

and International Award. * Thummala Nageswara Rao, Telangana minister *

Udupi Ramachandra Rao Udupi Ramachandra Rao (10 March 1932 – 24 July 2017) was an Indian space scientist and former chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation. He was also the Chairman of the Governing Council of the Physical Research Laboratory at Ahme ...

- Indian space scientist and director of ISRO *

V. Hanumantha Rao V. Hanumantha Rao (aka VHR, Hanumantha Rao Vuthpulla) is a political leader from the Indian National Congress party. He is former AICC(All India Congress Committee) Secretary of Congress Party in Telangana. He was the Member of Parliament of R ...

, Ex-member of Rajya Sabha, Indian politician * Vandana Rao, Arjuna Awardee who represented India in 1984 and 1988 Olympics in 4 × 400 m women relay race *

Vangaveeti Mohana Ranga Rao Vangaveeti Mohana Ranga Rao (4 July 1947 – 26 December 1988) was an Indian politician from Andhra Pradesh, known for his prominent role in the state's politics during the 1980s. A member of the Congress Party, he represented the Vijayawada E ...

(known as Ranga; 1947 – 1988) was an Indian National Congress politician * Vanama Venkateshwara Rao, Ex-minister in Andhra Pradesh *

Swami Ramdas Swami Ramdas (; , born Vittal Rao (10 April 1884 to 25 July 1963) was an Indian saint, philosopher, philanthropist and pilgrim. Swami Ramdas became a wandering ascetic in his late 30s and after attaining moksha while still alive establishe ...

(born Vittal Rao), a saint from

Kanhangad Kanhangad () is a commercial city, located in the Kasaragod District, state of Kerala, India. Location The area contains villages around Kanhangad town with Kasaragod as the northern border, Nileshwar, popularly known as the 'cultural town' ...

, Kerala * Gitanjali Rao (scientist) – high achiever in science at STEM School Highlands Ranch,

Colorado Colorado is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States. It is one of the Mountain states, sharing the Four Corners region with Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. It is also bordered by Wyoming to the north, Nebraska to the northeast, Kansas ...

, US * Y. S. Rao, professor at

IIT Bombay The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT- Bombay or IIT-B) is a Public university, public research university and Institute of technology, technical institute in Powai, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. IIT Bombay is mainly known for the hig ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rao surname) Surnames of Indian origin

As a surname

Pre-independence

Post-independence

See also

References